The faith of the centurion is on display, as he asks Jesus for healing for a servant, yet he feels unworthy to have Jesus to even come to his house. “Just say the word”, he pleas with Jesus. And Jesus rewards his faith, and heals the servant. Makes me wonder what the centurion told the servant…
Later, in a city called Nain, he shows compassion on a widow who had lost her son. He raises the son back to life, in front of a pretty large crowd. So in a short span of time, He reaches out to two people that most would not give much time to: a Roman centurion (the Jews hated being occupied by Rome), and a widow (hardly worth any effort, rather “worthless” to society). And all the while, He is trying hard to reach those who are in the “in” crowd. Yes, Jesus’ call is universal, we all need Him.
OK, another favorite from Luke, John the Baptist (in prison) has his disciples go ask Jesus if He is THE one, the Messiah. John is near execution and has momentary doubts, very understandable. Jesus answers them/him by quoting parts of Isaiah 35 and 61 (yes, the same 61 He quoted from when reading from the scroll), prophecies which He had just recently been fulfilling. John, a prophet, would completely understand, and could rest easily. And Jesus calls anyone who does not take offense with Him “blessed”. The Pharisees listening in had not wanted to accept John’s message of repentance, and neither would they receive the message of Jesus. They ridiculed John for not eating certain foods and not drinking any wine; they ridiculed Jesus for eating more liberally and for drinking wine. They simply had hard hearts, and wanted nothing of God’s truth as displayed by John and Jesus.
Jesus is anointed by an immoral woman, the text calls her a “sinner”, and the implication could be that of an adulterer, a prostitute, not sure. Anyway, she recognizes His greatness and mercy, and anoints His feet with expensive perfume and her tears. The Pharisee doubts He is a prophet, otherwise He would know who this woman really is. Jesus goes on to explain through a parable about how this woman has “loved” much, she has a greater love for the one forgiving her than do others who are not apparently so “sinful”. There is no Aramaic word for “thankfulness”, which is what the context demands here. Aramaic was the common language of the day, which Jesus likely spoke. She, being known to be immoral, and having a much rougher past than this Pharisee (Simon), is more thankful for Jesus. The point is, both he and she should be equally thankful, because both are equal as sinners, and both have sin separating them from God.
And, when He declares her sins forgiven, again come the comments about “Who does He think He is, forgiving sin?” He’s God.
SO WHAT…?
So, I pray I never take my faith for granted, and realize, like the centurion, like the widow, that He can still do the miraculous.
So, when I may doubt, or when life’s turns can be discouraging, like John, I can be assured that He is still God, and He is still in control.
So, I pray I never stop being thankful that He would save a wretch like me.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
LUKE 6
I mentioned before how I try to take note of the questions the Pharisees ask Jesus. All the while, they either deny or simply ignore the miraculous. And if they can get Jesus to trip up, or catch Him “in the act” of breaking their Law, then they think they have Him. They don’t recognize that He is the author of all, so they learn the hard way, if they learn at all.
Jesus, in this passage, asserts His authority over the Sabbath. The Sabbath was one of the most abused pieces of the Jewish Law, to the point that the religious leaders had completely distorted the original intent. Rest, and reflect on God and how good He is. Thus, they were not to work on that day, and this was to be carried out sensibly.
Jesus and His disciples pick grain on the Sabbath, not to produce a crop, but to eat! Their picking is not in and of itself illegal. When challenged, Jesus takes them back to David, and how he needed to feed his men, and used the tabernacle’s showbread to do so. He heals on the Sabbath, as we see here and in other passages. Jesus asks his opponents if it is lawful to do what is right on the Sabbath. They have no good answer, but to be angry and plot further against Him. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. More and more are coming to hear Him preach and be healed, and He preaches and heals, in that order.
Verse 20 starts a section called the Beatitudes, or “blessings”. In short, it is better to need God and know it, than to have much and never realize you need God, if I had to put it into my own words.
Some great principles come forth. It is very easy to love those who love you, easy to do good to those who do good to you, it is easy to lend money to someone you know will repay you. There are no bonus points for these actions. Rather, we are to also be merciful, just as God is to us. Be kind to those who are mean to you. Do good for those who might never do the same for you. Be generous to those who probably will not re-pay you or might not even thank you. God has you covered.
Some interesting study on verse 38. Jesus compares God’s blessings with the image of a commodity like grain, something bought that is not just purchased in small or skimpy amounts. The grain is pressed into a container to make sure air spaces are filled in. The grain is also shaken to make sure there are no empty spaces. The container runs over, completely full, in an abundant way. It is then “poured into the lap”, or literally transferred from the merchant’s container to the buyer’s. God transfers His goodness to the believer as a blessing. Human generosity is rewarded with Divine generosity.
We also read the familiar beam/speck story. Note that it is OK to notice and try to remove the speck from another, so long as it is done properly, with proper motives. The picture is that of a huge wood plank sticking out from my eye, banging the other person in the head while I try to get close enough to remove the other’s speck. We must clean up our own issues before properly addressing another’s.
That section closes with verse 45, also speaking of motives. If your heart is evil, so will be your output. If your motives are impure, then so will be your actions and speech, especially toward those around you. The converse is true as well: if your heart and motives are good and pure, so will be the result that comes forth from you.
Build your house on the rock. We have no firmer foundation than the rock of Jesus Christ, the solid base that is His Word. Any other substrate will only lead to collapse and ruin.
SO WHAT…?
So, am I living the easy Christian life, or am I being generous with my love, my gifts, and my mercy?
So, do I recognize those blessings poured out so abundantly from God?
So, I must check my motives regularly, help a brother or sister when he or she is falling, and in the process and prior to that, keep myself free from those “beams”, which are my own failings.
So, what besides the Word am I relying upon to hold me up, to keep my foundation solid?
Jesus, in this passage, asserts His authority over the Sabbath. The Sabbath was one of the most abused pieces of the Jewish Law, to the point that the religious leaders had completely distorted the original intent. Rest, and reflect on God and how good He is. Thus, they were not to work on that day, and this was to be carried out sensibly.
Jesus and His disciples pick grain on the Sabbath, not to produce a crop, but to eat! Their picking is not in and of itself illegal. When challenged, Jesus takes them back to David, and how he needed to feed his men, and used the tabernacle’s showbread to do so. He heals on the Sabbath, as we see here and in other passages. Jesus asks his opponents if it is lawful to do what is right on the Sabbath. They have no good answer, but to be angry and plot further against Him. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. More and more are coming to hear Him preach and be healed, and He preaches and heals, in that order.
Verse 20 starts a section called the Beatitudes, or “blessings”. In short, it is better to need God and know it, than to have much and never realize you need God, if I had to put it into my own words.
Some great principles come forth. It is very easy to love those who love you, easy to do good to those who do good to you, it is easy to lend money to someone you know will repay you. There are no bonus points for these actions. Rather, we are to also be merciful, just as God is to us. Be kind to those who are mean to you. Do good for those who might never do the same for you. Be generous to those who probably will not re-pay you or might not even thank you. God has you covered.
Some interesting study on verse 38. Jesus compares God’s blessings with the image of a commodity like grain, something bought that is not just purchased in small or skimpy amounts. The grain is pressed into a container to make sure air spaces are filled in. The grain is also shaken to make sure there are no empty spaces. The container runs over, completely full, in an abundant way. It is then “poured into the lap”, or literally transferred from the merchant’s container to the buyer’s. God transfers His goodness to the believer as a blessing. Human generosity is rewarded with Divine generosity.
We also read the familiar beam/speck story. Note that it is OK to notice and try to remove the speck from another, so long as it is done properly, with proper motives. The picture is that of a huge wood plank sticking out from my eye, banging the other person in the head while I try to get close enough to remove the other’s speck. We must clean up our own issues before properly addressing another’s.
That section closes with verse 45, also speaking of motives. If your heart is evil, so will be your output. If your motives are impure, then so will be your actions and speech, especially toward those around you. The converse is true as well: if your heart and motives are good and pure, so will be the result that comes forth from you.
Build your house on the rock. We have no firmer foundation than the rock of Jesus Christ, the solid base that is His Word. Any other substrate will only lead to collapse and ruin.
SO WHAT…?
So, am I living the easy Christian life, or am I being generous with my love, my gifts, and my mercy?
So, do I recognize those blessings poured out so abundantly from God?
So, I must check my motives regularly, help a brother or sister when he or she is falling, and in the process and prior to that, keep myself free from those “beams”, which are my own failings.
So, what besides the Word am I relying upon to hold me up, to keep my foundation solid?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
LUKE 5
Jesus is teaching from a boat on the lake of Genessaret, basically a northwestern tip of the Sea of Galilee. He is around and among a group of fishermen, namely Simon Peter, a primary focus of this passage. Interestingly, recent archaeological finds include a boat in the Sea of Galilee that was 26.5 feet long and 7.5 feet wide (there are those who believe there would not have been room on a small fishing boat to kneel, as Peter will later. The find fully supports the narrative.).
Jesus instructs Peter to let down the nets again, and though he is not disobedient, Peter kind of gets his word in, while at the same time complying with this teacher he calls “Master”, after hearing him preach and teach. The miracle of the massive catch occurs, and Peter recognizes he is in the presence of the Divine. His response is very fitting.
His response is much like that of Isaiah when called. And I find it interesting that Jesus is choosing twelve of His followers to be “inner circle” apostles, and that He is doing so, not in Jerusalem, but in a remote area near Capernaum. You would think the religious elite would be His primary focus, and yet He uses simpler, more humble people to carry out His ministry.
A man with leprosy (probably not the actual disease as we know it, but more like a skin disorder, perhaps psoriasis) comes, and recognizes Jesus’ ability to heal, and asks whether or not Jesus is willing to do so for him. By asking this way, he showed his faith and trust in Jesus, and did not emphasize merely wanting to be healed physically. By telling the man not to say anything to anyone, we can understand that Jesus did not simply want people coming to Him simply for healing, but for their true spiritual need. Luke here emphasizes that Jesus’ preaching ministry was more important than His healing ministry.
We also know from other accounts that the man DID tell many what had happened.
***As we move along in the gospel, and as you read the others some time, take note of the questions asked of Jesus, and try to decipher the motives behind them.***
We then move to the account of the man being lowered through a roof to Jesus, since the house was too crowded with people. There is so much that occurs in this one event: Jesus heals, forgives sins, reads minds; followers show faith, the Pharisees ignore the miraculous. They claim only God forgives sins, and they are correct. This is one way Jesus lays claim to being God. He also shows that it would be “easier” to forgive sins, as it might appear that He is just saying it, with no way to prove it, so He heals the man, showing the power of God, and thereby supporting that He can also forgive sins. Nobody denies that Jesus did this miracle, but the Pharisees and scribes are upset that he claimed the power to forgive and how He asserted His authority.
Jesus then meets Levi/Matthew, and asks him to follow Him as well. A group ends up at Matthew’s house for a meal, prompting the Pharisees to ask Him why He would eat with sinners. Jesus’ answer shows them that they see themselves as justified in the eyes of men, that they are comfortable in their own righteousness. So, instead of learning, they ask another question, this time on fasting, asking why his disciples do not do so. His answer makes it clear that they cannot possibly fast, normally associated with sorrow and sadness, but rather that this was a time of celebration; the bridegroom was here! His point is that proper repentance does not lead to sorrow but rather to joyous celebration indeed! The time to fast would come, when he would be taken away.
Jesus uses two more parables, the patched garment and the old wine skins with new wine. “Old” implies the Pharisaic Judaism, and “New” is associated with the newness of the kingdom of God, and the Law (Judaism) giving way to Christianity (though not called that yet). A new patch on an old garment would not help the old, and would tear the new. New wine which has yet to fully ferment, placed in to old wineskins would cause the skins to burst, ruining both the wineskin and the spilled new wine. The “new” gospel cannot be placed in the “old” Pharisaic Judaism, as the result will be neither the gospel nor Judaism. History also shows us that Christianity blended with any other religious movement ruins both.
And He closes with irony, in that those who were clinging closely to the past were not open to the reality of God’s kingdom, preferring the “old” to the new”.
SO WHAT…? (Whew! That was long-winded, my apologies)
So, following Christ may also, at face value, look foolish. It didn’t bother Peter, it shouldn’t bother me, or you, for that matter.
So, I must always place the preaching ministry of God’s Word in a place of primary importance. Jesus healed, and He preached the Word to those He encountered.
So, what is my response to an encounter with God’s grace? May it be as humbly and self-examining as Peter’s response, and as jubilant as the men miraculously healed.
Jesus instructs Peter to let down the nets again, and though he is not disobedient, Peter kind of gets his word in, while at the same time complying with this teacher he calls “Master”, after hearing him preach and teach. The miracle of the massive catch occurs, and Peter recognizes he is in the presence of the Divine. His response is very fitting.
His response is much like that of Isaiah when called. And I find it interesting that Jesus is choosing twelve of His followers to be “inner circle” apostles, and that He is doing so, not in Jerusalem, but in a remote area near Capernaum. You would think the religious elite would be His primary focus, and yet He uses simpler, more humble people to carry out His ministry.
A man with leprosy (probably not the actual disease as we know it, but more like a skin disorder, perhaps psoriasis) comes, and recognizes Jesus’ ability to heal, and asks whether or not Jesus is willing to do so for him. By asking this way, he showed his faith and trust in Jesus, and did not emphasize merely wanting to be healed physically. By telling the man not to say anything to anyone, we can understand that Jesus did not simply want people coming to Him simply for healing, but for their true spiritual need. Luke here emphasizes that Jesus’ preaching ministry was more important than His healing ministry.
We also know from other accounts that the man DID tell many what had happened.
***As we move along in the gospel, and as you read the others some time, take note of the questions asked of Jesus, and try to decipher the motives behind them.***
We then move to the account of the man being lowered through a roof to Jesus, since the house was too crowded with people. There is so much that occurs in this one event: Jesus heals, forgives sins, reads minds; followers show faith, the Pharisees ignore the miraculous. They claim only God forgives sins, and they are correct. This is one way Jesus lays claim to being God. He also shows that it would be “easier” to forgive sins, as it might appear that He is just saying it, with no way to prove it, so He heals the man, showing the power of God, and thereby supporting that He can also forgive sins. Nobody denies that Jesus did this miracle, but the Pharisees and scribes are upset that he claimed the power to forgive and how He asserted His authority.
Jesus then meets Levi/Matthew, and asks him to follow Him as well. A group ends up at Matthew’s house for a meal, prompting the Pharisees to ask Him why He would eat with sinners. Jesus’ answer shows them that they see themselves as justified in the eyes of men, that they are comfortable in their own righteousness. So, instead of learning, they ask another question, this time on fasting, asking why his disciples do not do so. His answer makes it clear that they cannot possibly fast, normally associated with sorrow and sadness, but rather that this was a time of celebration; the bridegroom was here! His point is that proper repentance does not lead to sorrow but rather to joyous celebration indeed! The time to fast would come, when he would be taken away.
Jesus uses two more parables, the patched garment and the old wine skins with new wine. “Old” implies the Pharisaic Judaism, and “New” is associated with the newness of the kingdom of God, and the Law (Judaism) giving way to Christianity (though not called that yet). A new patch on an old garment would not help the old, and would tear the new. New wine which has yet to fully ferment, placed in to old wineskins would cause the skins to burst, ruining both the wineskin and the spilled new wine. The “new” gospel cannot be placed in the “old” Pharisaic Judaism, as the result will be neither the gospel nor Judaism. History also shows us that Christianity blended with any other religious movement ruins both.
And He closes with irony, in that those who were clinging closely to the past were not open to the reality of God’s kingdom, preferring the “old” to the new”.
SO WHAT…? (Whew! That was long-winded, my apologies)
So, following Christ may also, at face value, look foolish. It didn’t bother Peter, it shouldn’t bother me, or you, for that matter.
So, I must always place the preaching ministry of God’s Word in a place of primary importance. Jesus healed, and He preached the Word to those He encountered.
So, what is my response to an encounter with God’s grace? May it be as humbly and self-examining as Peter’s response, and as jubilant as the men miraculously healed.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
LUKE 4
Jesus, ready to embark on His public ministry, is led into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan. Jesus fasts for 40 days, so He is hungry, humanly-speaking. He has been alone; just imagine the mental strain of a 40-day period such as this. Any food, any pleasure would be very tempting. The author of Hebrews tells us (2:14) that He understands our temptation. Satan used the flesh, the eyes, and pride to tempt Jesus.
How does one defeat such temptation? Jesus used the Word, each and every time, quoting scripture that Satan already knew. Satan just twisted other parts of it to throw in Jesus’ face. The Word triumphs, and Jesus begins preaching; He’s about 30 years old here.
We see Him in his home town of Nazareth. Certainly He will be seen as a hero here, a prophet from one of their own. He goes to the synagogue, and is handed the Isaiah scroll. He opens it to what we know as Isaiah 61, and he reads verses 1-2a. He sits, and declares this scripture fulfilled that day as of His reading. This is by far my favorite story in the New Testament. He reads what He wrote, and declares it fulfilled by Him. I wonder how much nervous laughter there was in the synagogue that day.
Note: He did not complete the passage, for the rest of that verse 2 reads “…and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,” This portion had not yet been fulfilled, and so He stopped with proclaiming the favorable day of the Lord. God’s redemptive plan to that day was fulfilled, and the rest is still yet to come. His vengeance will be on those who oppose God.
The comment is made about him being Joseph’s son, and we don’t get this, but this was a personal affront to him and no doubt the rumors of Him being illegitimate, being that Mary was pregnant before they were married, and Joseph was not the biological father. They did not yet get the big picture.
Jesus takes it in stride, and relates the story of Elijah, who could have easily gone to Israel to find widows to help, but he went to Zarephath, northeast of Samaria and Judah, in the land of Sidon, to a widow who was part of a group of people not liked much by people of Israel. Why go there? Well, besides being sent by God, it was clear that Elijah’s message would be received there, much moreso than in Israel. By relating this story, Jesus made it clear that many outside of Israel, outside of God’s chosen people, would take to His message much more readily that those of Israel. Kind of a “right back atcha” comment, and His was true.
The chapter finishes with the demon-possessed at Capernaum, the healings of Peter’s mother-in-law, and the healing of many others, including more demons being cast out. It is clear that the demons know who Jesus is. Think about it, they were created by Him, they were originally in Heaven with Him when they were created, and then they fell by following Satan. Bad choice, and they begin to realize that.
Jesus is at full speed now in His ministry, spending time in synagogues desperately trying to reach those who should most recognize the Messiah.
SO WHAT…?
So, I should remember that Isaiah 61:2b and following is yet to come. If life is a bit tough now for the sake of following Christ, He will make the effort worth it when He returns.
So I, too am tempted by what is seen by my eyes, what my flesh desires, and what my prideful self prefers. Jesus showed the ability to overcome by using the Word. It’s so simple and yet not so easy.
So, the gospel is for everyone, from the widow at Zarephath, to the non-Jews on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It can be discouraging when someone who should get it doesn’t, and it can be surprising when someone you think will never get it does. So I must always remember to share the gospel, just share it, with everyone I can. God can work out the details.
How does one defeat such temptation? Jesus used the Word, each and every time, quoting scripture that Satan already knew. Satan just twisted other parts of it to throw in Jesus’ face. The Word triumphs, and Jesus begins preaching; He’s about 30 years old here.
We see Him in his home town of Nazareth. Certainly He will be seen as a hero here, a prophet from one of their own. He goes to the synagogue, and is handed the Isaiah scroll. He opens it to what we know as Isaiah 61, and he reads verses 1-2a. He sits, and declares this scripture fulfilled that day as of His reading. This is by far my favorite story in the New Testament. He reads what He wrote, and declares it fulfilled by Him. I wonder how much nervous laughter there was in the synagogue that day.
Note: He did not complete the passage, for the rest of that verse 2 reads “…and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,” This portion had not yet been fulfilled, and so He stopped with proclaiming the favorable day of the Lord. God’s redemptive plan to that day was fulfilled, and the rest is still yet to come. His vengeance will be on those who oppose God.
The comment is made about him being Joseph’s son, and we don’t get this, but this was a personal affront to him and no doubt the rumors of Him being illegitimate, being that Mary was pregnant before they were married, and Joseph was not the biological father. They did not yet get the big picture.
Jesus takes it in stride, and relates the story of Elijah, who could have easily gone to Israel to find widows to help, but he went to Zarephath, northeast of Samaria and Judah, in the land of Sidon, to a widow who was part of a group of people not liked much by people of Israel. Why go there? Well, besides being sent by God, it was clear that Elijah’s message would be received there, much moreso than in Israel. By relating this story, Jesus made it clear that many outside of Israel, outside of God’s chosen people, would take to His message much more readily that those of Israel. Kind of a “right back atcha” comment, and His was true.
The chapter finishes with the demon-possessed at Capernaum, the healings of Peter’s mother-in-law, and the healing of many others, including more demons being cast out. It is clear that the demons know who Jesus is. Think about it, they were created by Him, they were originally in Heaven with Him when they were created, and then they fell by following Satan. Bad choice, and they begin to realize that.
Jesus is at full speed now in His ministry, spending time in synagogues desperately trying to reach those who should most recognize the Messiah.
SO WHAT…?
So, I should remember that Isaiah 61:2b and following is yet to come. If life is a bit tough now for the sake of following Christ, He will make the effort worth it when He returns.
So I, too am tempted by what is seen by my eyes, what my flesh desires, and what my prideful self prefers. Jesus showed the ability to overcome by using the Word. It’s so simple and yet not so easy.
So, the gospel is for everyone, from the widow at Zarephath, to the non-Jews on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It can be discouraging when someone who should get it doesn’t, and it can be surprising when someone you think will never get it does. So I must always remember to share the gospel, just share it, with everyone I can. God can work out the details.
Monday, July 26, 2010
LUKE 3
Luke provides some details as to the rulers of the time, in order to have the reader understand the time frame in which the events occurred. We are somewhere around A.D. 26 or 27, and John the Baptist is on the scene preaching repentance, and baptizing those who will publically promise to turn back to God. Isaiah 40 is fulfilled, among other prophecies, in his ministry.
Crowds came to be baptized, and Matthew specifically mentions Pharisees and Sadducees coming to see who this “John” was and what he was doing. When they and many others perceived the baptisms to be a religious ritual, they wanted to participate. They were all about anything religious that looked good.
John greets them with a warm (sarcasm) “brood of vipers”. OK, an obvious insult, but why vipers? And keep in mind, this is the word from God, making John a prophet, just as in the Old Testament. Well, for one, snakes were the most unclean thing Jews could imagine. Further, snakes were and are still known to inject their poison into their prey. So you have religious leaders hearing themselves being called vipers, implying they are spiritually unclean, and even spreading their mere religion to others, much as a snake. So we can safely assert that John the Baptist was no friend of the religious leaders.
But the crowds ask what they should do. So John tells them to change their ways, start behaving as they should. No, he is not advocating works as the means to gain God’s favor, but look at the specifics he tells them; he is going after their hearts. He wants them to sincerely turn to God, and that repentance will show itself by their actions. And simply being related to Abraham (Jewish) means nothing in each person’s relationship to God.
John clarifies that he is not the Christ, and that one is soon coming who is. People are noticing the signs; it has been 400 years since God last spoke through prophets, so this is huge news. And the timeline works out for people paying attention, using prophecies to Daniel and others.
John’s image of the winnowing fork is a favorite of mine. Winnowing was a way to separate good grain from the chaff, allowing the chaff (the fibrous material around the grain) to blow away while the heavier, good grain fell to the floor, to be collected later. In John’s image, the chaff is not merely blown away, but rather it is burned, utterly destroyed. “The Christ is coming”, John is saying, to gather His good grain. Just a great picture of Christ’s ministry.
Jesus comes to John to be baptized, and we see the Son, the Spirit and the Father all present while Jesus prays. This is a solid supporting passage for the Trinity.
John is thrown into prison for preaching about Herod’s public sin; Herod was having an affair with his sister-in-law.
The genealogy that closes the chapter is thought by many to be that of Mary’s, showing Jesus’ biological relationship to Mary, who is also traced back to David directly. The genealogy in Matthew is thought to be that of Joseph, who is legally Jesus’ earthly father, and he, too, is directly related to David. The Messiah was to be a direct descendant of David, to be king forever.
SO WHAT…?
So today, just like then, God wants my heart. He wants me to truly follow Him.
So today, just like then, I need to be aware of vipers who will poison those seeking the truth.
So today, just like then, the Christ is coming again, and soon. The time is now to turn to Him. It makes all the difference eternally.
Crowds came to be baptized, and Matthew specifically mentions Pharisees and Sadducees coming to see who this “John” was and what he was doing. When they and many others perceived the baptisms to be a religious ritual, they wanted to participate. They were all about anything religious that looked good.
John greets them with a warm (sarcasm) “brood of vipers”. OK, an obvious insult, but why vipers? And keep in mind, this is the word from God, making John a prophet, just as in the Old Testament. Well, for one, snakes were the most unclean thing Jews could imagine. Further, snakes were and are still known to inject their poison into their prey. So you have religious leaders hearing themselves being called vipers, implying they are spiritually unclean, and even spreading their mere religion to others, much as a snake. So we can safely assert that John the Baptist was no friend of the religious leaders.
But the crowds ask what they should do. So John tells them to change their ways, start behaving as they should. No, he is not advocating works as the means to gain God’s favor, but look at the specifics he tells them; he is going after their hearts. He wants them to sincerely turn to God, and that repentance will show itself by their actions. And simply being related to Abraham (Jewish) means nothing in each person’s relationship to God.
John clarifies that he is not the Christ, and that one is soon coming who is. People are noticing the signs; it has been 400 years since God last spoke through prophets, so this is huge news. And the timeline works out for people paying attention, using prophecies to Daniel and others.
John’s image of the winnowing fork is a favorite of mine. Winnowing was a way to separate good grain from the chaff, allowing the chaff (the fibrous material around the grain) to blow away while the heavier, good grain fell to the floor, to be collected later. In John’s image, the chaff is not merely blown away, but rather it is burned, utterly destroyed. “The Christ is coming”, John is saying, to gather His good grain. Just a great picture of Christ’s ministry.
Jesus comes to John to be baptized, and we see the Son, the Spirit and the Father all present while Jesus prays. This is a solid supporting passage for the Trinity.
John is thrown into prison for preaching about Herod’s public sin; Herod was having an affair with his sister-in-law.
The genealogy that closes the chapter is thought by many to be that of Mary’s, showing Jesus’ biological relationship to Mary, who is also traced back to David directly. The genealogy in Matthew is thought to be that of Joseph, who is legally Jesus’ earthly father, and he, too, is directly related to David. The Messiah was to be a direct descendant of David, to be king forever.
SO WHAT…?
So today, just like then, God wants my heart. He wants me to truly follow Him.
So today, just like then, I need to be aware of vipers who will poison those seeking the truth.
So today, just like then, the Christ is coming again, and soon. The time is now to turn to Him. It makes all the difference eternally.
Friday, July 23, 2010
LUKE 2
Very familiar factual accounts here. One of them even appears in the form of a monologue by Linus, in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. I marvel (tongue-in-cheek) each year that the networks continue to air this beloved program, given that Linus quotes Luke 2, word for word.
Of course I am referring to Jesus’ birth account. Naturally, the mind shifts to a cold stable, maybe in a cave somewhere, Mary giving birth, and so on. Closer examination tends to suggest that she and Joseph went to Bethlehem, would have stayed with relatives in their house, and while they were there, she gave birth. “No room in the inn” is probably a reference to the house, as opposed to what we normally think of as a hotel. There was no room there for her to have privacy to have a baby, so they used the area for cattle, likely attached to the house. What a humble situation for the Savior. OK, so I’ve taken some fun out of the story, yet it is the likely scenario, besides, look at all that surrounds this event.
One angel appears to the shepherds, a glorious light appears, the message of the Savior being born is delivered, and suddenly an enormous number of other angels appears to sing and rejoice. Wow! I would have loved to have seen and heard that! The throne room depicted in Revelation will just have to suffice. Given the recent reading through Daniel, we have a bit of insight into angels’ behavior. Though they are not privy to the details of God’s redemptive plan, they nonetheless celebrate with God over such occasions as the miraculous birth of Jesus. We should never forget that the angels saw God do something eternally important here, and they know it.
Simeon in the temple could very well be my favorite story in the New Testament. It might be a close second to one we’ll cover in a couple days. Regardless, we are never told how Simeon was told that he would see the Christ before he (Simeon) died. But he was, and he did. His faith, and how God revealed the truth to him gives me goosebumps, to be honest. Simeon is pleased to die in peace, for God kept His promise to him.
Simeon uses a phrase that I have admittedly missed up to now. He calls Jesus “a sign to be opposed.” Indeed, Jesus Christ must be faced by everyone, and He will either be accepted or rejected by all. Simeon got it. OK, he had help from God, but this is a great verse to bring to mind to an unbeliever who has heard all the other verses over and over.
Fast forward now to Jesus’ and His family’s return to Galilee, to Nazareth. Matthew inserts the flight to Egypt for safety, so this return home comes sometime after that event. Joseph and Mary were faithful, going to Jerusalem each year for the Passover, great examples to their children (Scripture elsewhere shows He had siblings). Jesus is 12 years old, and he stays behind to talk with the teachers in the temple. The people around Him were simply amazed at His understanding and His answers; apparently they were asking Him questions, too.
And Jesus, fully God, kept increasing humanly in knowledge and stature. He was becoming more and more important to the plight of mankind. And God used this occurrence to plant a memory into Mary and Joseph, reminding them who His Father really was.
SO WHAT…?
So, I should never get tired of the old, well-known stories. Angels still rejoice at the presence of Christ. The message of the Savior should be just as fresh to me now as it was to the shepherds then.
So, do I present Jesus as the babe in the manger, or as a sign to be opposed? Does my life center on the truth of Christ? Do I weigh my life choices by looking to this “sign”, as Simeon referred to Him?
So, after this chapter, the stage is set for His ministry. This ministry has since been handed to me, to you, to the church, to all who believe. Let’s go tell someone.
Of course I am referring to Jesus’ birth account. Naturally, the mind shifts to a cold stable, maybe in a cave somewhere, Mary giving birth, and so on. Closer examination tends to suggest that she and Joseph went to Bethlehem, would have stayed with relatives in their house, and while they were there, she gave birth. “No room in the inn” is probably a reference to the house, as opposed to what we normally think of as a hotel. There was no room there for her to have privacy to have a baby, so they used the area for cattle, likely attached to the house. What a humble situation for the Savior. OK, so I’ve taken some fun out of the story, yet it is the likely scenario, besides, look at all that surrounds this event.
One angel appears to the shepherds, a glorious light appears, the message of the Savior being born is delivered, and suddenly an enormous number of other angels appears to sing and rejoice. Wow! I would have loved to have seen and heard that! The throne room depicted in Revelation will just have to suffice. Given the recent reading through Daniel, we have a bit of insight into angels’ behavior. Though they are not privy to the details of God’s redemptive plan, they nonetheless celebrate with God over such occasions as the miraculous birth of Jesus. We should never forget that the angels saw God do something eternally important here, and they know it.
Simeon in the temple could very well be my favorite story in the New Testament. It might be a close second to one we’ll cover in a couple days. Regardless, we are never told how Simeon was told that he would see the Christ before he (Simeon) died. But he was, and he did. His faith, and how God revealed the truth to him gives me goosebumps, to be honest. Simeon is pleased to die in peace, for God kept His promise to him.
Simeon uses a phrase that I have admittedly missed up to now. He calls Jesus “a sign to be opposed.” Indeed, Jesus Christ must be faced by everyone, and He will either be accepted or rejected by all. Simeon got it. OK, he had help from God, but this is a great verse to bring to mind to an unbeliever who has heard all the other verses over and over.
Fast forward now to Jesus’ and His family’s return to Galilee, to Nazareth. Matthew inserts the flight to Egypt for safety, so this return home comes sometime after that event. Joseph and Mary were faithful, going to Jerusalem each year for the Passover, great examples to their children (Scripture elsewhere shows He had siblings). Jesus is 12 years old, and he stays behind to talk with the teachers in the temple. The people around Him were simply amazed at His understanding and His answers; apparently they were asking Him questions, too.
And Jesus, fully God, kept increasing humanly in knowledge and stature. He was becoming more and more important to the plight of mankind. And God used this occurrence to plant a memory into Mary and Joseph, reminding them who His Father really was.
SO WHAT…?
So, I should never get tired of the old, well-known stories. Angels still rejoice at the presence of Christ. The message of the Savior should be just as fresh to me now as it was to the shepherds then.
So, do I present Jesus as the babe in the manger, or as a sign to be opposed? Does my life center on the truth of Christ? Do I weigh my life choices by looking to this “sign”, as Simeon referred to Him?
So, after this chapter, the stage is set for His ministry. This ministry has since been handed to me, to you, to the church, to all who believe. Let’s go tell someone.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
LUKE 1
This is a good time for a simple reminder of why I write this blog. My goal is to simply encourage others to be in the Word daily. I love sharing what God shows me as a result. I will continue to try to stay on the lighter side of theology. So I head back to a gospel, and Luke seems most appropriate. Please, won't you read along?
Luke, a physician by trade, sets down to write his account of Jesus life and ministry. It is interesting to realize that his primary purpose is to make sure that Theophilus understands the exact truth about what he has been taught. Luke tends to have a more technical writing style as a result, descriptive and informative. The theme related to Jesus Christ is that of His humanity.
I started reading, and was quickly reminded of something I never really paid attention to. Here is Gabriel, the same angel who I just read about ministering to Daniel, talking to Daniel about when the messiah would come, how the end of time as we know it would unfold, and here he is with the same message and how the people in this gospel are affected specifically. Gabriel gets the privilege of delivering yet another divine message.
Gabriel appears to Zacharias, explaining that the son to be born to him and Elizabeth would be the next major player to attempt to turn Israel back to the ways of the Lord. By now, they had become merely “religious”, and God wanted their hearts. Malachi 4:6 prophesied there would be another “Elijah”, and that would be the case for who we know to be John, John the Baptist, that is. Elizabeth is excited and steady in her faith to see what God is doing.
In verse 26, Gabriel next appears in Nazareth to Mary. She humanly asks “How can this be?” And Gabriel reminds her that it is possible with God, and that she would carry the Son of God, in human form. She was to give birth to Jesus, fully human, fully God. Don’t ask me to explain it. She would be the envy of all young Jewish maidens. Her response? She considers herself to be a bondslave of the Lord, a willful, obedient servant of God.
Mary visits Elizabeth, her cousin, and they share their joy and excitement. One is carrying the forerunner of the Savior, the other, the Savior. And Mary sings what many know to be called the Magnificat, in which she clearly exclaims that God is her Savior. Mary is special, sure, and she is not divine, she is not a go-between for us and Jesus; and yet she and her name is indeed blessed forever. How could she carry the baby Jesus and not be blessed?
Her spirituality shines through, as she quotes Psalms in her praise to God. She leaves, and shortly thereafter, John the Baptist is Born, already with the Spirit, ready to grow up and take on the mission God has for him. The people around him waited in great anticipation of what kind of man he would be, seeing that God’s hand was in this birth.
SO WHAT…?
So my mission is the same as how John’s is described: Show others the Light! He is coming again.
So I enjoy the godly example of Mary, of Elizabeth, even Zacharias, though he doubted initially. We’ll see Joseph come up soon, how much God had to think of these people to entrust the raising of these crucial pieces of His redemptive plan. God said he would send each of them. He did, and I praise Him for that.
Luke, a physician by trade, sets down to write his account of Jesus life and ministry. It is interesting to realize that his primary purpose is to make sure that Theophilus understands the exact truth about what he has been taught. Luke tends to have a more technical writing style as a result, descriptive and informative. The theme related to Jesus Christ is that of His humanity.
I started reading, and was quickly reminded of something I never really paid attention to. Here is Gabriel, the same angel who I just read about ministering to Daniel, talking to Daniel about when the messiah would come, how the end of time as we know it would unfold, and here he is with the same message and how the people in this gospel are affected specifically. Gabriel gets the privilege of delivering yet another divine message.
Gabriel appears to Zacharias, explaining that the son to be born to him and Elizabeth would be the next major player to attempt to turn Israel back to the ways of the Lord. By now, they had become merely “religious”, and God wanted their hearts. Malachi 4:6 prophesied there would be another “Elijah”, and that would be the case for who we know to be John, John the Baptist, that is. Elizabeth is excited and steady in her faith to see what God is doing.
In verse 26, Gabriel next appears in Nazareth to Mary. She humanly asks “How can this be?” And Gabriel reminds her that it is possible with God, and that she would carry the Son of God, in human form. She was to give birth to Jesus, fully human, fully God. Don’t ask me to explain it. She would be the envy of all young Jewish maidens. Her response? She considers herself to be a bondslave of the Lord, a willful, obedient servant of God.
Mary visits Elizabeth, her cousin, and they share their joy and excitement. One is carrying the forerunner of the Savior, the other, the Savior. And Mary sings what many know to be called the Magnificat, in which she clearly exclaims that God is her Savior. Mary is special, sure, and she is not divine, she is not a go-between for us and Jesus; and yet she and her name is indeed blessed forever. How could she carry the baby Jesus and not be blessed?
Her spirituality shines through, as she quotes Psalms in her praise to God. She leaves, and shortly thereafter, John the Baptist is Born, already with the Spirit, ready to grow up and take on the mission God has for him. The people around him waited in great anticipation of what kind of man he would be, seeing that God’s hand was in this birth.
SO WHAT…?
So my mission is the same as how John’s is described: Show others the Light! He is coming again.
So I enjoy the godly example of Mary, of Elizabeth, even Zacharias, though he doubted initially. We’ll see Joseph come up soon, how much God had to think of these people to entrust the raising of these crucial pieces of His redemptive plan. God said he would send each of them. He did, and I praise Him for that.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
7-21-10, DANIEL 12
DANIEL 12
The concluding chapter of Daniel. The explanation of Daniel's most recent vision has him in the time of anti-Christ’s reign of terror during that time we call the Great Tribulation. This is a time of such “great distress”, a time the world has never seen, and a time of trouble that has never before faced Israel, even considering what Israel has been through, even up till our present day. According to Zechariah, approximately only one-third of the world’s people at that time will survive.
Interesting, we are told that Michael is the one who guards Israel, and at this time of great distress, he will be there to help Israel, along with Christ. And just when it can get no worse for Israel, Christ will appear, and rescue those “written in the book”.
On the heels of the explanation of the great distress comes the very reassuring verse (2) on the resurrection. How wonderful to hear the blessed assurance of the resurrection, in light of certain judgment and present trouble!
Daniel is assured that those who have died, and who were followers of God an faithful to Him, will indeed be raised again when this prophetic period ends. As an aside, it would appear here that non-believers would also be raised, but this verse talks about a huge span of time, and both parties will indeed be raised, but Revelation 20 clearly depicts the OT non-believers being raised after the 1000 years, not at the end of the Tribulation. So, put it all together, and we as new Testament believers, will either be raptured or resurrected just before the tribulation, then a 7-year Tribulation will ensue for God to deal with Israel, and then those alive at the end of the Tribulation who are saved will be rescued by Christ.
The person in the linen here is again likely Christ, and one of the two angles, perhaps Gabriel, asks Him “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” His question is how long will Israel have to suffer this distress. Christ answers “times (2 years), a time (1 year), and half a time (half a year)”, or 3.5 years, the second half of the Tribulation.
Daniel wants to know what the outcome will be, so he asks. He is told not to worry about it, it is well in the future, and the prophecy is sealed up. Daniel is old now, and he will receive no more direct revelation; he is not chided for asking, but rather he is comforted in his eternal security and peace.
SO WHAT…?
So, blessed is he who is part of the first resurrection, we are told in Revelation. Daniel 12 depicts that first resurrection, with multiple components. Believer, take heart, even in today’s wicked times, God is in control, and we have a secure and eternal home prepared with Him.
So, I need to purpose in my heart to pray like Daniel, to trust like Daniel, to listen to God like Daniel, and to rest peacefully in the joy of salvation.
So, I am looking forward to seeing how Gabriel has played a larger role for us as NT believers. Stay tuned, as I turn to the gospel of Luke next.
The concluding chapter of Daniel. The explanation of Daniel's most recent vision has him in the time of anti-Christ’s reign of terror during that time we call the Great Tribulation. This is a time of such “great distress”, a time the world has never seen, and a time of trouble that has never before faced Israel, even considering what Israel has been through, even up till our present day. According to Zechariah, approximately only one-third of the world’s people at that time will survive.
Interesting, we are told that Michael is the one who guards Israel, and at this time of great distress, he will be there to help Israel, along with Christ. And just when it can get no worse for Israel, Christ will appear, and rescue those “written in the book”.
On the heels of the explanation of the great distress comes the very reassuring verse (2) on the resurrection. How wonderful to hear the blessed assurance of the resurrection, in light of certain judgment and present trouble!
Daniel is assured that those who have died, and who were followers of God an faithful to Him, will indeed be raised again when this prophetic period ends. As an aside, it would appear here that non-believers would also be raised, but this verse talks about a huge span of time, and both parties will indeed be raised, but Revelation 20 clearly depicts the OT non-believers being raised after the 1000 years, not at the end of the Tribulation. So, put it all together, and we as new Testament believers, will either be raptured or resurrected just before the tribulation, then a 7-year Tribulation will ensue for God to deal with Israel, and then those alive at the end of the Tribulation who are saved will be rescued by Christ.
The person in the linen here is again likely Christ, and one of the two angles, perhaps Gabriel, asks Him “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” His question is how long will Israel have to suffer this distress. Christ answers “times (2 years), a time (1 year), and half a time (half a year)”, or 3.5 years, the second half of the Tribulation.
Daniel wants to know what the outcome will be, so he asks. He is told not to worry about it, it is well in the future, and the prophecy is sealed up. Daniel is old now, and he will receive no more direct revelation; he is not chided for asking, but rather he is comforted in his eternal security and peace.
SO WHAT…?
So, blessed is he who is part of the first resurrection, we are told in Revelation. Daniel 12 depicts that first resurrection, with multiple components. Believer, take heart, even in today’s wicked times, God is in control, and we have a secure and eternal home prepared with Him.
So, I need to purpose in my heart to pray like Daniel, to trust like Daniel, to listen to God like Daniel, and to rest peacefully in the joy of salvation.
So, I am looking forward to seeing how Gabriel has played a larger role for us as NT believers. Stay tuned, as I turn to the gospel of Luke next.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
7-20-10, DANIEL 11
DANIEL 11
Verse 1 is actually a continuation of chapter 10, and most agree that it should actually be a verse in that chapter. The first year of Darius actually occurred prior to Cyrus' reign, and Daniel apparently references some angelic intervention and activity during that time of Darius. Somehow, it appears that Michael, who came to help the angel in chapter 10, was aided by Daniel, perhaps in some earthly manner. Regardless of the exact specifics, we get a behind-the-scenes look at very real angelic activity.
Cyrus is the one who eventually allowed Israel/Judah to return to and restore their homeland, and it could have been partly the result of this angelic activity that took place a couple years prior to that happening.
There is so much history in this chapter, and I would have to post details of historical occurrences to show where the prophecies relate. There is a good point to at least understanding how these events unfolded, and how accurate Daniel was; the first part of this chapter deals with a series of leaders, conflicts, alliances, and wars that Daniel was told would occur. Names that relates to these prophecies include Alexander the Great, Antiochus, Cleopatra, just to name a few. By verse 16, the stage has been set for Antiochus (IV) Epiphanes to rise to power.
By verse 28, Gabriel gets to the point. The stage is set for the persecution of the Jewish people by this Syrian Greek leader, Antiochus. His desecration of the temple led to a Jewish revolt, and by verse 35, he is out of the picture.
This is followed by “the king” in verse 36 and following, and the mood shifts to one who will eventually come, one we know as the anti-Christ. He rejects any gods or practiced religion. By nature, he is atheistic. Instead, he will honor military power and might. He will seek to destroy all who challenge him. Armies will rise up against him, and caught in the middle of the conflicts will be God’s people, Israel. The battle that eventually shapes up is the Battle of Armageddon, that prophetic last battle before Christ returns. As we have developed previously, the scene for this is during that last week of Daniel, that 7-year period called the Tribulation. The end of the chapter climaxes with an unknown outcome of this battle, except that the anti-Christ appears to be coming to his end.
SO WHAT…?
Really, what does all this history and prophesy have to do with me? Let’s look at the theological value of this chapter. Forgive me for a little different format for this section.
1) The reality of God is on display. One commentator notes that in 35 verses, there are at least 135 prophecies which have been literally fulfilled, and are corroborated by a study of that time period. Since Daniel accurately predicted these, the God of Heaven must have revealed them to Daniel.
2) God’s omniscience and omnipotence shows forth. He shows His supreme knowledge and power over history.
3) For those who lived (including us) after these predicted events occurred, we have confidence in subsequent promises of triumph. God’s promises are certainly true.
4) We can trust that the Holy Scriptures are truly a product of supernatural revelation. We can never deny the supernatural aspect of our faith.
So, God’s people will ultimately be delivered. Amen?
Verse 1 is actually a continuation of chapter 10, and most agree that it should actually be a verse in that chapter. The first year of Darius actually occurred prior to Cyrus' reign, and Daniel apparently references some angelic intervention and activity during that time of Darius. Somehow, it appears that Michael, who came to help the angel in chapter 10, was aided by Daniel, perhaps in some earthly manner. Regardless of the exact specifics, we get a behind-the-scenes look at very real angelic activity.
Cyrus is the one who eventually allowed Israel/Judah to return to and restore their homeland, and it could have been partly the result of this angelic activity that took place a couple years prior to that happening.
There is so much history in this chapter, and I would have to post details of historical occurrences to show where the prophecies relate. There is a good point to at least understanding how these events unfolded, and how accurate Daniel was; the first part of this chapter deals with a series of leaders, conflicts, alliances, and wars that Daniel was told would occur. Names that relates to these prophecies include Alexander the Great, Antiochus, Cleopatra, just to name a few. By verse 16, the stage has been set for Antiochus (IV) Epiphanes to rise to power.
By verse 28, Gabriel gets to the point. The stage is set for the persecution of the Jewish people by this Syrian Greek leader, Antiochus. His desecration of the temple led to a Jewish revolt, and by verse 35, he is out of the picture.
This is followed by “the king” in verse 36 and following, and the mood shifts to one who will eventually come, one we know as the anti-Christ. He rejects any gods or practiced religion. By nature, he is atheistic. Instead, he will honor military power and might. He will seek to destroy all who challenge him. Armies will rise up against him, and caught in the middle of the conflicts will be God’s people, Israel. The battle that eventually shapes up is the Battle of Armageddon, that prophetic last battle before Christ returns. As we have developed previously, the scene for this is during that last week of Daniel, that 7-year period called the Tribulation. The end of the chapter climaxes with an unknown outcome of this battle, except that the anti-Christ appears to be coming to his end.
SO WHAT…?
Really, what does all this history and prophesy have to do with me? Let’s look at the theological value of this chapter. Forgive me for a little different format for this section.
1) The reality of God is on display. One commentator notes that in 35 verses, there are at least 135 prophecies which have been literally fulfilled, and are corroborated by a study of that time period. Since Daniel accurately predicted these, the God of Heaven must have revealed them to Daniel.
2) God’s omniscience and omnipotence shows forth. He shows His supreme knowledge and power over history.
3) For those who lived (including us) after these predicted events occurred, we have confidence in subsequent promises of triumph. God’s promises are certainly true.
4) We can trust that the Holy Scriptures are truly a product of supernatural revelation. We can never deny the supernatural aspect of our faith.
So, God’s people will ultimately be delivered. Amen?
Monday, July 19, 2010
7-19-10, DANIEL 10
DANIEL 10
Chapter 10 finds us in the “3rd year of Cyrus”, somewhere near 535 B.C.. Considering the exile began with the siege of Jerusalem in 605 B.C., the 70-year period is now at its end. Daniel is perhaps 85 years old now, and due to his high position, is still in Babylon, even if most others have returned to restore the land of Israel. Interestingly, Isaiah 44:28, hundreds of years before, prophesied that Cyrus would issue a decree for Israel to return to the land. This is one possible trigger for the clock to start ticking on the 70 weeks from chapter 9, by the way.
Daniel has a troubling vision, and he fasts and otherwise prepares himself spiritually in prayer to ask for help in deciphering this vision. Here, three weeks is literally three 7-day periods, based simply on the context and word used for “week”.
The image he sees is suggestive of a holy person, that of a king or judge. Daniel has on multiple occasions seen Gabriel, so his fear here in this passage seems to indicate that this might be a person of more significance than a powerful angel. So who is it that appears to him? Likely Christ. This is what we would call a Christophany, or a Theophany, an appearance of Christ as opposed to sending an angel (messenger). Think of Moses and the burning bush, Jacob wrestling, as other examples. The OT followers of God would not have understood the second person of the Trinity, but nevertheless they seem to recognize when they are in the very presence of God. Such is the case with Daniel here.
Others did not see the vision, but fled in fear, feeling the presence of God. And an angel comes to help with the understanding, delivering the message from the holy one Daniel has just seen. And the angel calls Daniel “highly esteemed”. Nice complement from God!
Daniel is now prostrate, and an angel does come to him to help him up; this is likely Gabriel again. Interesting that the angel began to come to Daniel’s aid when he had first started his search for understanding. Gabriel was met by the “prince of Persia” and detained, and had Michael, the archangel, come to his assistance. This prince of Persia was likely an angel as well, albeit one on Satan’s side, a fallen angel of God. He apparently was intent of keeping Gabriel from getting to Daniel, and the struggle lasted 21 days in human terms. Even after Michael comes to help, and Gabriel finishes with Daniel, Gabriel has to return to fight this demon further. We know this “prince of Persia” was no human prince, as one angel would have no trouble with one human, or even an army of them.
So from this, quickly, we see that angels are real. There are good and evil angels. These angels can and do influence human affairs, even inspiring leaders, as perhaps this evil one did with the leaders of Persia.
Prophetically, the angel tells Daniel that other princes are to come. Persia now, and namely one of Greece later. This was to occur in the near future to Daniel and the people of his time. Historically, we know that Greece did conquer Persia shortly after this time.
Underlying all these events is Israel, by now they are returning to their land, God is in control, and God has shown them even in a time of exile, how He loves and cares for His people, even if that means judging and discipline.
SO WHAT…?
So I have examples all around me to show me God is in control, if I will simply open my eyes, mind, and heart to them.
So I personally cherish how Daniel responds to God and His presence. God is worthy of our proper fear and humility.
So, prayer never diminishes as one of the priorities for Daniel in his life. What an example he is for me.
Chapter 10 finds us in the “3rd year of Cyrus”, somewhere near 535 B.C.. Considering the exile began with the siege of Jerusalem in 605 B.C., the 70-year period is now at its end. Daniel is perhaps 85 years old now, and due to his high position, is still in Babylon, even if most others have returned to restore the land of Israel. Interestingly, Isaiah 44:28, hundreds of years before, prophesied that Cyrus would issue a decree for Israel to return to the land. This is one possible trigger for the clock to start ticking on the 70 weeks from chapter 9, by the way.
Daniel has a troubling vision, and he fasts and otherwise prepares himself spiritually in prayer to ask for help in deciphering this vision. Here, three weeks is literally three 7-day periods, based simply on the context and word used for “week”.
The image he sees is suggestive of a holy person, that of a king or judge. Daniel has on multiple occasions seen Gabriel, so his fear here in this passage seems to indicate that this might be a person of more significance than a powerful angel. So who is it that appears to him? Likely Christ. This is what we would call a Christophany, or a Theophany, an appearance of Christ as opposed to sending an angel (messenger). Think of Moses and the burning bush, Jacob wrestling, as other examples. The OT followers of God would not have understood the second person of the Trinity, but nevertheless they seem to recognize when they are in the very presence of God. Such is the case with Daniel here.
Others did not see the vision, but fled in fear, feeling the presence of God. And an angel comes to help with the understanding, delivering the message from the holy one Daniel has just seen. And the angel calls Daniel “highly esteemed”. Nice complement from God!
Daniel is now prostrate, and an angel does come to him to help him up; this is likely Gabriel again. Interesting that the angel began to come to Daniel’s aid when he had first started his search for understanding. Gabriel was met by the “prince of Persia” and detained, and had Michael, the archangel, come to his assistance. This prince of Persia was likely an angel as well, albeit one on Satan’s side, a fallen angel of God. He apparently was intent of keeping Gabriel from getting to Daniel, and the struggle lasted 21 days in human terms. Even after Michael comes to help, and Gabriel finishes with Daniel, Gabriel has to return to fight this demon further. We know this “prince of Persia” was no human prince, as one angel would have no trouble with one human, or even an army of them.
So from this, quickly, we see that angels are real. There are good and evil angels. These angels can and do influence human affairs, even inspiring leaders, as perhaps this evil one did with the leaders of Persia.
Prophetically, the angel tells Daniel that other princes are to come. Persia now, and namely one of Greece later. This was to occur in the near future to Daniel and the people of his time. Historically, we know that Greece did conquer Persia shortly after this time.
Underlying all these events is Israel, by now they are returning to their land, God is in control, and God has shown them even in a time of exile, how He loves and cares for His people, even if that means judging and discipline.
SO WHAT…?
So I have examples all around me to show me God is in control, if I will simply open my eyes, mind, and heart to them.
So I personally cherish how Daniel responds to God and His presence. God is worthy of our proper fear and humility.
So, prayer never diminishes as one of the priorities for Daniel in his life. What an example he is for me.
Friday, July 16, 2010
7-16-10, DANIEL 9, Part 2
DANIEL 9 (verses 20-27)
Gabriel has been sent by God when Daniel began his prayer, so we are told in verse 23. Even from this we cannot tell how long it took Gabriel to get there, and it makes me wonder how God communicates with the angels. Nothing to develop here, just curious to wonder. Gabriel brings insight and understanding to Daniel, direct from God. And God calls Daniel “highly esteemed.” Wow!
Basically, Daniel is going to receive a timeline for what will unfold for Israel/Judah, God’s covenant people. The timeline is to start with the issuing of a decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Once that decree is given, then 70 “weeks” remain for this people. Each “week” is a 7-year period, as agreed upon by most scholars. So this is a 490-year period for God to deal with Israel as His chosen people. 70 weeks, and then God will usher in everlasting righteousness, among all the other aspects mentioned in verse 24.
So, we start with the issuing of a decree to rebuild Jerusalem, and then the time until Messiah is 7 weeks and 62 weeks, or 69 weeks (483 years). After the 62 weeks, then Messiah will be “cut off”. We understand this to be the crucifixion of the Messiah. What we do not fully understand, is how much time passes during this “after”. We know the 7 and 62 weeks have passed, and we know when Jesus was crucified. So there remains 1 week, a 7-year period for God to finish dealing with Israel. This remains an un-fulfilled prophecy to this day. Developing the thoughts further, and comparing with other Scripture, this 7-year period will be what we collectively call the Tribulation, and verses 26 and 27 deal with this time period, at least in an overview manner.
The prince in verse 26 is the anti-Christ, to rule during that period. He makes a covenant, a treaty of sorts, with “the many”, with those God is dealing with during this time, Israel, but he breaks it in the middle of that week, or 3-and-a-half years into the 7 years. He carries out an abomination against God, and is destroyed as a result.
Assumptions we can make from this chapter include a fully-functioning Jewish temple in existence during the Tribulation period. There will also be a world leader present who is actually anti-Christ. Also, while not discussed here, a pre-Tribulational rapture of the church leaves this period of time for God to reclaim Israel, and for Israel as a people to repent and believe the Gospel.
SO WHAT…?
So, sorry for the heavy prophecy; I, for one, am very thankful for this piece of the end times picture, being part of the “church” that nobody in the Old Testament could foresee, the great “mystery” of the church age. Read the middle chapters of Revelation sometime, and see all that occurs to those here during the Tribulation. God reclaims Israel, and pours our His just wrath on those who oppose Him.
So, there remains nothing to occur before the final week of God dealing with Israel, meaning the Rapture could occur at any moment. Are you ready?
Gabriel has been sent by God when Daniel began his prayer, so we are told in verse 23. Even from this we cannot tell how long it took Gabriel to get there, and it makes me wonder how God communicates with the angels. Nothing to develop here, just curious to wonder. Gabriel brings insight and understanding to Daniel, direct from God. And God calls Daniel “highly esteemed.” Wow!
Basically, Daniel is going to receive a timeline for what will unfold for Israel/Judah, God’s covenant people. The timeline is to start with the issuing of a decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Once that decree is given, then 70 “weeks” remain for this people. Each “week” is a 7-year period, as agreed upon by most scholars. So this is a 490-year period for God to deal with Israel as His chosen people. 70 weeks, and then God will usher in everlasting righteousness, among all the other aspects mentioned in verse 24.
So, we start with the issuing of a decree to rebuild Jerusalem, and then the time until Messiah is 7 weeks and 62 weeks, or 69 weeks (483 years). After the 62 weeks, then Messiah will be “cut off”. We understand this to be the crucifixion of the Messiah. What we do not fully understand, is how much time passes during this “after”. We know the 7 and 62 weeks have passed, and we know when Jesus was crucified. So there remains 1 week, a 7-year period for God to finish dealing with Israel. This remains an un-fulfilled prophecy to this day. Developing the thoughts further, and comparing with other Scripture, this 7-year period will be what we collectively call the Tribulation, and verses 26 and 27 deal with this time period, at least in an overview manner.
The prince in verse 26 is the anti-Christ, to rule during that period. He makes a covenant, a treaty of sorts, with “the many”, with those God is dealing with during this time, Israel, but he breaks it in the middle of that week, or 3-and-a-half years into the 7 years. He carries out an abomination against God, and is destroyed as a result.
Assumptions we can make from this chapter include a fully-functioning Jewish temple in existence during the Tribulation period. There will also be a world leader present who is actually anti-Christ. Also, while not discussed here, a pre-Tribulational rapture of the church leaves this period of time for God to reclaim Israel, and for Israel as a people to repent and believe the Gospel.
SO WHAT…?
So, sorry for the heavy prophecy; I, for one, am very thankful for this piece of the end times picture, being part of the “church” that nobody in the Old Testament could foresee, the great “mystery” of the church age. Read the middle chapters of Revelation sometime, and see all that occurs to those here during the Tribulation. God reclaims Israel, and pours our His just wrath on those who oppose Him.
So, there remains nothing to occur before the final week of God dealing with Israel, meaning the Rapture could occur at any moment. Are you ready?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
7-15-10, DANIEL 9
DANIEL 9 (Part 1, verses 1-23)
Not a particularly long chapter, Daniel 9 is packed with a great prayer and a still-to-be-completed prophecy. So, in the interest of a brief read, I have split this chapter into 2 parts.
Today, the focus is on Daniel’s prayer. Read it now, if you have not already, verses 4-19.
Daniel reads or hears Jeremiah’s prophecy, and is moved to repentance. Jeremiah rightly foretold of the 70 years Judah would spend in captivity, and Daniel is part of the living proof. The 70 years was God’s judgment for Judah following after Israel in their idolatrous ways. One can’t miss Daniel’s sincerity, as he attempts to repent on behalf of Judah. Look at the elements of his prayer, and some he repeats.
God is great and awesome. He keeps His covenants (faithful).
We are the ones who have sinned, when we are compared to God’s command, and it is by His standard, His command, that we are judged. It is this command, God’s Word, that we have failed to listen and adhere to.
Righteousness belongs to God. Shame is ours. Yet God is merciful. God owns mercy!
Again, we have refused to obey God’s voice, and God has kept His promise by judging. Even still, we do not ask for forgiveness.
We have not gained insight from God’s truth. Basically, we have sinned.
Then Daniel speaks profoundly, personally, just as Moses did long before this time. He appeals to God to restore Judah, for the sake of restoring His good name. Daniel uses the phrase of God’s name having become a byword among their neighbors. What people know of God, they know poorly, because of the testimony of Judah. Ouch! This is obviously not God’s fault.
Then, the clincher, in verses 18 and 19, he asks God to allow Judah to see their sin for what it is, “Show us,” he says. Daniel pleas, not out of any righteousness, but because of God’s mercy. “Please forgive,” is his desperate cry.
And Gabriel arrives, in response to Daniel’s prayer, with a message from God, who hears.
SO WHAT…?
So, may I boldly ask God to show me my sin for what it is. And may I truly be repentant, and ask God for His forgiveness.
So, I must live remembering that I am to live by God’s Word, and be judged accordingly; God is faithful to forgive, and to judge, among so many other facets of His faithfulness.
So, I must trust God’s word as truth, just as Daniel did with Jeremiah’s prophecy, and rely on such truth as God’s absolute. There is nothing more reliable.
Not a particularly long chapter, Daniel 9 is packed with a great prayer and a still-to-be-completed prophecy. So, in the interest of a brief read, I have split this chapter into 2 parts.
Today, the focus is on Daniel’s prayer. Read it now, if you have not already, verses 4-19.
Daniel reads or hears Jeremiah’s prophecy, and is moved to repentance. Jeremiah rightly foretold of the 70 years Judah would spend in captivity, and Daniel is part of the living proof. The 70 years was God’s judgment for Judah following after Israel in their idolatrous ways. One can’t miss Daniel’s sincerity, as he attempts to repent on behalf of Judah. Look at the elements of his prayer, and some he repeats.
God is great and awesome. He keeps His covenants (faithful).
We are the ones who have sinned, when we are compared to God’s command, and it is by His standard, His command, that we are judged. It is this command, God’s Word, that we have failed to listen and adhere to.
Righteousness belongs to God. Shame is ours. Yet God is merciful. God owns mercy!
Again, we have refused to obey God’s voice, and God has kept His promise by judging. Even still, we do not ask for forgiveness.
We have not gained insight from God’s truth. Basically, we have sinned.
Then Daniel speaks profoundly, personally, just as Moses did long before this time. He appeals to God to restore Judah, for the sake of restoring His good name. Daniel uses the phrase of God’s name having become a byword among their neighbors. What people know of God, they know poorly, because of the testimony of Judah. Ouch! This is obviously not God’s fault.
Then, the clincher, in verses 18 and 19, he asks God to allow Judah to see their sin for what it is, “Show us,” he says. Daniel pleas, not out of any righteousness, but because of God’s mercy. “Please forgive,” is his desperate cry.
And Gabriel arrives, in response to Daniel’s prayer, with a message from God, who hears.
SO WHAT…?
So, may I boldly ask God to show me my sin for what it is. And may I truly be repentant, and ask God for His forgiveness.
So, I must live remembering that I am to live by God’s Word, and be judged accordingly; God is faithful to forgive, and to judge, among so many other facets of His faithfulness.
So, I must trust God’s word as truth, just as Daniel did with Jeremiah’s prophecy, and rely on such truth as God’s absolute. There is nothing more reliable.
Friday, July 9, 2010
7-9-10, DANIEL 8
DANIEL 8
At first glance, or after my first read, I must admit that the “SO WHAT?” was tough to come by in some obvious fashion. I suggest reading the chapter, re-reading it, and looking for or noting attributes of Daniel, angels, God, prophecy, and try to compare the situation then with present day. Let’s give it a whirl.
First, let’s take care of the prophecies and what most agree upon as to their meanings. Like the previous chapter, this one comes before Chapter 5, so if you are following along chronologically, it would look like chapter1,2,3,4,7,8,5,6. Make sense? No matter, just good to know.
Another dream by Daniel, and like the previous one, it disturbs him, and again, he has help in interpretation. The ram in his dream is representative of the Medo-Persian empire, and one horn longer than the other indicates the stronger of the two being Persia. The goat that destroys the Ram is Greece, and the conspicuous horn is Alexander the Great. History shows he conquered the world in 10 years, and died at around age 32. He was eventually succeeded by 4 rulers (“horns) of city-states. From one of these comes a small or little horn, representative of Antiochus (IV) Ephiphanes, who desecrated the Jewish temple, eventually causing a revolt by Israel against Greece (which actually succeeded). His actions are very much a typology of the anti-Christ of the end times, yet Daniel’s prophecy by way of this dream here is pretty much in the context of the next few centuries from his time.
OK, now, along the way, we learn some interesting tidbits, and the “SO WHAT?” will become more clear as these are developed.
From verse 12, we see an enemy of God trying to destroy God’s truth. It should always be clear that anyone who does so is eventually destroyed.
Given that Gabriel is in this chapter, the first time in Scripture that an angel is named personally, we see that angels are deeply concerned about the affairs of humans. We know from Scripture elsewhere that we are born again, angels are not, and we have a special place with God that they do not. Yet, they are not all-knowing, and at this time here in Daniel, the angels do not know God’s redemptive plan, and they must be curious as to why God is so involved with these people.
Daniel’s reaction to the voice that is present along with Gabriel gives credence to the thought that God was present here, dealing directly with Daniel. The fear on display by Daniel is characteristic of those who have found themselves in the presence of God. We saw in the last chapter that he is not seemingly afraid of angels, so his reaction here was most likely due to God’s presence.
Later, Daniel again gets a glimpse of God’s wrath, which is literally from the Hebrew root “to be indignant”, and it fits perfectly with God being indignant (offended, angry) about sin. And here, that wrath is directed not only against Antiochus, but also against the people of God, due to their being lulled into a false sense of security; they have before and will again, according to this dream, taken God for granted.
Revelation, God’s Word, given to God’s people, was always given in order to prompt faithfulness. Gabriel further asserts that the predictions seen here are true, and Daniel is instructed to “keep it a secret”. What is really meant is to keep this dream and its meaning preserved and alive for all to hear and understand, available to generations in the distant future. Customarily, ancient documents were sealed for protection and preservation.
Last, this prophecy could not be “true” unless it was delivered to Daniel and written many years before the events occurred. Put it all together, and we trust that this was indeed written long before these events took place. Thankfully, we have the words available to us to read and learn from.
SO WHAT…?
So, I respect Daniel’s reaction to being in God’s presence. I pray that I, that we, never lose sight of that when we come to Him in worship, when we remember and celebrate His presence in our lives. Daniel does not run up to God, or even Gabriel, and give Him (or him) a big hug. He bows deeply, showing his true heart.
So, while I detest our national and world leaders trying to take God out of everything, God will deal with them for trying to destroy His truth. They cannot win. His wrath is sufficient. I pray I am strong to continue speaking His truth.
So I look forward to being in the literal presence of God, with his angels, worshiping Him alongside messengers like Gabriel.
At first glance, or after my first read, I must admit that the “SO WHAT?” was tough to come by in some obvious fashion. I suggest reading the chapter, re-reading it, and looking for or noting attributes of Daniel, angels, God, prophecy, and try to compare the situation then with present day. Let’s give it a whirl.
First, let’s take care of the prophecies and what most agree upon as to their meanings. Like the previous chapter, this one comes before Chapter 5, so if you are following along chronologically, it would look like chapter1,2,3,4,7,8,5,6. Make sense? No matter, just good to know.
Another dream by Daniel, and like the previous one, it disturbs him, and again, he has help in interpretation. The ram in his dream is representative of the Medo-Persian empire, and one horn longer than the other indicates the stronger of the two being Persia. The goat that destroys the Ram is Greece, and the conspicuous horn is Alexander the Great. History shows he conquered the world in 10 years, and died at around age 32. He was eventually succeeded by 4 rulers (“horns) of city-states. From one of these comes a small or little horn, representative of Antiochus (IV) Ephiphanes, who desecrated the Jewish temple, eventually causing a revolt by Israel against Greece (which actually succeeded). His actions are very much a typology of the anti-Christ of the end times, yet Daniel’s prophecy by way of this dream here is pretty much in the context of the next few centuries from his time.
OK, now, along the way, we learn some interesting tidbits, and the “SO WHAT?” will become more clear as these are developed.
From verse 12, we see an enemy of God trying to destroy God’s truth. It should always be clear that anyone who does so is eventually destroyed.
Given that Gabriel is in this chapter, the first time in Scripture that an angel is named personally, we see that angels are deeply concerned about the affairs of humans. We know from Scripture elsewhere that we are born again, angels are not, and we have a special place with God that they do not. Yet, they are not all-knowing, and at this time here in Daniel, the angels do not know God’s redemptive plan, and they must be curious as to why God is so involved with these people.
Daniel’s reaction to the voice that is present along with Gabriel gives credence to the thought that God was present here, dealing directly with Daniel. The fear on display by Daniel is characteristic of those who have found themselves in the presence of God. We saw in the last chapter that he is not seemingly afraid of angels, so his reaction here was most likely due to God’s presence.
Later, Daniel again gets a glimpse of God’s wrath, which is literally from the Hebrew root “to be indignant”, and it fits perfectly with God being indignant (offended, angry) about sin. And here, that wrath is directed not only against Antiochus, but also against the people of God, due to their being lulled into a false sense of security; they have before and will again, according to this dream, taken God for granted.
Revelation, God’s Word, given to God’s people, was always given in order to prompt faithfulness. Gabriel further asserts that the predictions seen here are true, and Daniel is instructed to “keep it a secret”. What is really meant is to keep this dream and its meaning preserved and alive for all to hear and understand, available to generations in the distant future. Customarily, ancient documents were sealed for protection and preservation.
Last, this prophecy could not be “true” unless it was delivered to Daniel and written many years before the events occurred. Put it all together, and we trust that this was indeed written long before these events took place. Thankfully, we have the words available to us to read and learn from.
SO WHAT…?
So, I respect Daniel’s reaction to being in God’s presence. I pray that I, that we, never lose sight of that when we come to Him in worship, when we remember and celebrate His presence in our lives. Daniel does not run up to God, or even Gabriel, and give Him (or him) a big hug. He bows deeply, showing his true heart.
So, while I detest our national and world leaders trying to take God out of everything, God will deal with them for trying to destroy His truth. They cannot win. His wrath is sufficient. I pray I am strong to continue speaking His truth.
So I look forward to being in the literal presence of God, with his angels, worshiping Him alongside messengers like Gabriel.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
7-8-10
DANIEL 7
Chronologically, the events in this chapter actually occur before chapter 5, as we are back to the king being Belshazzar. No worries.
We now begin to see some of the apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel, some pictures of the end times, and as you read, it should be easy to pick up on Daniel’s concern, his troubled spirit, as he gets a glimpse of God’s judgment of His enemies.
The dream and vision Daniels has of the four beasts here closely parallels the king’s dream in chapter 2. I am not going to delve into what each of the four beasts represents; the “interpreter”, perhaps an angel, does so beginning in verse 16, after Daniel asks. I will, however, point out that the “little horn” in this chapter, which emerges from the fourth beast, is the anti-Christ that will appear at the beginning of the Tribulation. He wages war with the saints, speaks boastful words. And the fourth beast with its 10 horns likely represents a new-world order that will be in place by the time anti-Christ is revealed. The goal of this order is to completely secularize the world, and I dare say that movement has been in motion for some time now.
Rather, focus on two passages, verses 9-10, and 13-15. Look as the description given to the two. First, the Ancient of Days, God Himself, seated on the throne, prepared to judge. We don’t grasp the power of this image, a few highlights:
His vesture was like white snow
And the hair of His head like pure wool
His throne was ablaze with flames,
Its wheels were a burning fire.
A river of fire was flowing
And coming out from before Him…
…The court sat,
And the books were opened.
If this were a film, the suspense would be killing me. The Judge of all the universe is seated, books are open, and He is ready to enact His verdict. The beast, this anti-Christ, speaking boastfully, blaspheming this Judge, is destroyed, and then we might wonder where the real Christ is.
Then, as if on cue, His Son is presented in verse 13 and 14, with such descriptions:
And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.
Prophetically, Daniel got to see the Millennial Kingdom, over which Christ will rule and reign, and the beginning of the eternal rule Christ will have at the end of our days. To us, this is encouraging. To Daniel, it was awe-inspiring, exhausting, and frightening. And he kept the matter to himself; there is conjecture that by now his three friends may have died and he had nobody to share this with. Others believe that it may have just been too much to share, after all, who would understand this? Even Daniel, with his gifts, was sickened by this revelation.
SO WHAT…?
So, I must be encouraged by the return and the reign of Christ over all the universe. Judgment will be severe for His enemies, and as the old hymn goes, “We are on the Lord’s side!”
So, just as God revealed His plan to Daniel, so He has done so for me. I have His completed Word. And just like God trusted His Word to Daniel, so He has done so to me, and you, to all the church. I must proclaim Christ and His imminent return.
So, verse 18 shows me the saints, the “holy ones” will receive the kingdom. It fits perfectly with the New Testament depiction of God’s people as heirs. So I will take heart, in the midst of our world, God is in control.
Chronologically, the events in this chapter actually occur before chapter 5, as we are back to the king being Belshazzar. No worries.
We now begin to see some of the apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel, some pictures of the end times, and as you read, it should be easy to pick up on Daniel’s concern, his troubled spirit, as he gets a glimpse of God’s judgment of His enemies.
The dream and vision Daniels has of the four beasts here closely parallels the king’s dream in chapter 2. I am not going to delve into what each of the four beasts represents; the “interpreter”, perhaps an angel, does so beginning in verse 16, after Daniel asks. I will, however, point out that the “little horn” in this chapter, which emerges from the fourth beast, is the anti-Christ that will appear at the beginning of the Tribulation. He wages war with the saints, speaks boastful words. And the fourth beast with its 10 horns likely represents a new-world order that will be in place by the time anti-Christ is revealed. The goal of this order is to completely secularize the world, and I dare say that movement has been in motion for some time now.
Rather, focus on two passages, verses 9-10, and 13-15. Look as the description given to the two. First, the Ancient of Days, God Himself, seated on the throne, prepared to judge. We don’t grasp the power of this image, a few highlights:
His vesture was like white snow
And the hair of His head like pure wool
His throne was ablaze with flames,
Its wheels were a burning fire.
A river of fire was flowing
And coming out from before Him…
…The court sat,
And the books were opened.
If this were a film, the suspense would be killing me. The Judge of all the universe is seated, books are open, and He is ready to enact His verdict. The beast, this anti-Christ, speaking boastfully, blaspheming this Judge, is destroyed, and then we might wonder where the real Christ is.
Then, as if on cue, His Son is presented in verse 13 and 14, with such descriptions:
And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.
Prophetically, Daniel got to see the Millennial Kingdom, over which Christ will rule and reign, and the beginning of the eternal rule Christ will have at the end of our days. To us, this is encouraging. To Daniel, it was awe-inspiring, exhausting, and frightening. And he kept the matter to himself; there is conjecture that by now his three friends may have died and he had nobody to share this with. Others believe that it may have just been too much to share, after all, who would understand this? Even Daniel, with his gifts, was sickened by this revelation.
SO WHAT…?
So, I must be encouraged by the return and the reign of Christ over all the universe. Judgment will be severe for His enemies, and as the old hymn goes, “We are on the Lord’s side!”
So, just as God revealed His plan to Daniel, so He has done so for me. I have His completed Word. And just like God trusted His Word to Daniel, so He has done so to me, and you, to all the church. I must proclaim Christ and His imminent return.
So, verse 18 shows me the saints, the “holy ones” will receive the kingdom. It fits perfectly with the New Testament depiction of God’s people as heirs. So I will take heart, in the midst of our world, God is in control.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
7-7-10
DANIEL 6
Daniel in the Lions’ Den. Most know this story, even those who are not Bible believers. Darius, a Mede, is now the king, passes a law at the behest of his commissioners and satraps (local rulers), that for 30 days, nobody should pray to or worship any god but him. Of course, Daniel cannot comply with this rule, as it goes against God, he prays daily as usual, is accused by the commissioners and satraps, and thrown into to the lions’ den as punishment.
Daniel says God sent His angel to protect him, and Daniel’s faithfulness to God and God’s great protection is on display as he makes it safely through this trial. Darius then kills those who accused Daniel, by tossing them into that same den. OK, that’s the story, all true, how about some background and a few subtle parts that might go less-noticed in this chapter?
Daniel, a Jew, has been appointed as one of three commissioners, and there are also 120 satraps, subordinate to the commissioners, who are in turn under Darius. Darius plans to appoint Daniel as the top of these three commissioners. That does not sit well with the other two, and the other local rulers. So they hatch the plan that is the basis of this story.
As God had this chapter penned, note how Daniel is described. No corruption found in him, faithful, even Darius recognizes through Daniel how great God is, calling Him “the living God”. You get the idea that Darius knows his other gods are not really alive.
Daniel is a prayer warrior. Three times a day, on his knees, as the text says. Daniel is no longer a young man by this time, possibly in his 60’s. He knows what is important, and that is praying to God, and giving Him thanks, daily, regularly. God has continued to be with Daniel, and His people, for that matter, during this exile. And the purpose of the exile was to judge Israel/Judah for their idolatry. What better way to do that but by taking them away from their homeland, into a land of many other gods, and showing them who is the the God, no matter what it takes, and no matter what the circumstance. And Daniel is privileged to help them see God for who He is.
SO WHAT...?
So while I am not challenged to have to bow down to a king or face punishment, I certainly face other gods of this world daily. I pray that I can be faithful, and have no corruption found in me, so that those around me can see the true God.
So, courage for God must remain and prevail. Whatever that looks like for me today, I must be strong and courageous for Him. If I can’t do that, I miss the point of Him saving me, I miss the opportunity to be used for Him and His glory.
So I need to remember to pray faithfully, regularly, with praise and thanks.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den. Most know this story, even those who are not Bible believers. Darius, a Mede, is now the king, passes a law at the behest of his commissioners and satraps (local rulers), that for 30 days, nobody should pray to or worship any god but him. Of course, Daniel cannot comply with this rule, as it goes against God, he prays daily as usual, is accused by the commissioners and satraps, and thrown into to the lions’ den as punishment.
Daniel says God sent His angel to protect him, and Daniel’s faithfulness to God and God’s great protection is on display as he makes it safely through this trial. Darius then kills those who accused Daniel, by tossing them into that same den. OK, that’s the story, all true, how about some background and a few subtle parts that might go less-noticed in this chapter?
Daniel, a Jew, has been appointed as one of three commissioners, and there are also 120 satraps, subordinate to the commissioners, who are in turn under Darius. Darius plans to appoint Daniel as the top of these three commissioners. That does not sit well with the other two, and the other local rulers. So they hatch the plan that is the basis of this story.
As God had this chapter penned, note how Daniel is described. No corruption found in him, faithful, even Darius recognizes through Daniel how great God is, calling Him “the living God”. You get the idea that Darius knows his other gods are not really alive.
Daniel is a prayer warrior. Three times a day, on his knees, as the text says. Daniel is no longer a young man by this time, possibly in his 60’s. He knows what is important, and that is praying to God, and giving Him thanks, daily, regularly. God has continued to be with Daniel, and His people, for that matter, during this exile. And the purpose of the exile was to judge Israel/Judah for their idolatry. What better way to do that but by taking them away from their homeland, into a land of many other gods, and showing them who is the the God, no matter what it takes, and no matter what the circumstance. And Daniel is privileged to help them see God for who He is.
SO WHAT...?
So while I am not challenged to have to bow down to a king or face punishment, I certainly face other gods of this world daily. I pray that I can be faithful, and have no corruption found in me, so that those around me can see the true God.
So, courage for God must remain and prevail. Whatever that looks like for me today, I must be strong and courageous for Him. If I can’t do that, I miss the point of Him saving me, I miss the opportunity to be used for Him and His glory.
So I need to remember to pray faithfully, regularly, with praise and thanks.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
7-6-10
DANIEL 5
Belshazzar, now the king of Babylon, holds a feast for at least a thousand of his nobles, dignitaries, you know, the important people to him in his kingdom. And, as the drinks are passed around, it is highly likely that the king is intoxicated, and he is not thinking clearly. He orders the drinking vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought to him, so that he may drink from them. Even for a pagan king, this would normally have been avoided at all costs, simply due to the superstitious fear of drinking from sacred vessels. As it turns out, this is a tremendous act of sacrilege against Almighty God. Up until know, the articles from the temples would have been on display in Babylon as spoils of war, majestic and beautiful as they must have been.
Suddenly, the fingers of a man appear and write on the wall of the gathering place, and the king, cannot recognize what is written, nor can anyone else. So, like his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar, he calls for his conjurers, diviners, wise men, etc., and offers a position of third in the kingdom to anyone who can interpret what is on the wall. (Side note, ever hear of a saying when something is done or certain, “the writing’s on the wall”? Guess where that comes from). And, just like in previous incidents, no success. By now, we know where this is going to go.
The Queen knows of Daniel, and his past success in such interpretation. The king offers him the same, third-highest position in the kingdom, if he can interpret the writing. Daniel declines the offer of the promotion, and first, beginning in verse 18, praises God for being in control, not just then, but also in past times in the life of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel rehearses the pride issues of the great Nebuchadnezzar, how God had given so much to him and his kingdom, and how it took being a beast for seven years to finally get it.
There is much evidence that Belshazzar would have likely been eyewitness to the latter part of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, and would have recalled the accounts of Daniel’s reminder.
The point to Belshazzar is this: he knew all that had gone on before, and yet he refused to humble himself, and he failed to recognize that his life is in God’s hands. And Daniel reveals what the writing on the wall means. God has numbered the days of his kingdom, and it has ended. Belshazzar has been weighed (basically, his heart has been evaluated and has been found wanting, he has displeased God by failing to recognize Him), and the kingdom has been given to the Medes and Persians (look back to chapter 2, part of the statue in that dream).
Daniel is rewarded anyway, and becomes third in command in Babylon. Keep remembering, the Jews are still in exile, and watching God take care of them.
That night, Belshazzar is dead. And the Medes and Persians are now in control.
SO WHAT...?
So, like these kings, how much have I been given by God, and how much have I done for Him with all that?
So, will I yield to God’s control in my life?
So, what is my reputation of following God. I pray for it to be one to be patterned after Daniel, always giving credit to God for the work He does or wants to do through me.
Belshazzar, now the king of Babylon, holds a feast for at least a thousand of his nobles, dignitaries, you know, the important people to him in his kingdom. And, as the drinks are passed around, it is highly likely that the king is intoxicated, and he is not thinking clearly. He orders the drinking vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought to him, so that he may drink from them. Even for a pagan king, this would normally have been avoided at all costs, simply due to the superstitious fear of drinking from sacred vessels. As it turns out, this is a tremendous act of sacrilege against Almighty God. Up until know, the articles from the temples would have been on display in Babylon as spoils of war, majestic and beautiful as they must have been.
Suddenly, the fingers of a man appear and write on the wall of the gathering place, and the king, cannot recognize what is written, nor can anyone else. So, like his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar, he calls for his conjurers, diviners, wise men, etc., and offers a position of third in the kingdom to anyone who can interpret what is on the wall. (Side note, ever hear of a saying when something is done or certain, “the writing’s on the wall”? Guess where that comes from). And, just like in previous incidents, no success. By now, we know where this is going to go.
The Queen knows of Daniel, and his past success in such interpretation. The king offers him the same, third-highest position in the kingdom, if he can interpret the writing. Daniel declines the offer of the promotion, and first, beginning in verse 18, praises God for being in control, not just then, but also in past times in the life of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel rehearses the pride issues of the great Nebuchadnezzar, how God had given so much to him and his kingdom, and how it took being a beast for seven years to finally get it.
There is much evidence that Belshazzar would have likely been eyewitness to the latter part of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, and would have recalled the accounts of Daniel’s reminder.
The point to Belshazzar is this: he knew all that had gone on before, and yet he refused to humble himself, and he failed to recognize that his life is in God’s hands. And Daniel reveals what the writing on the wall means. God has numbered the days of his kingdom, and it has ended. Belshazzar has been weighed (basically, his heart has been evaluated and has been found wanting, he has displeased God by failing to recognize Him), and the kingdom has been given to the Medes and Persians (look back to chapter 2, part of the statue in that dream).
Daniel is rewarded anyway, and becomes third in command in Babylon. Keep remembering, the Jews are still in exile, and watching God take care of them.
That night, Belshazzar is dead. And the Medes and Persians are now in control.
SO WHAT...?
So, like these kings, how much have I been given by God, and how much have I done for Him with all that?
So, will I yield to God’s control in my life?
So, what is my reputation of following God. I pray for it to be one to be patterned after Daniel, always giving credit to God for the work He does or wants to do through me.
Monday, July 5, 2010
7-5-10
DANIEL 4
In this chapter, written from the king’s perspective, the king begins by honoring God, giving credit to the signs God has shown Nebuchadnezar up to this point. This humility will be short-lived, as we’ll see.
King Nebuchadnezzar has another dream, only this time, he remembers it. Yet he wants to know it’s meaning. He calls all his wise men, magicians, etc., and nobody can interpret for him. He remembers Daniel and the previous experience with his dream, and calls for him.
I won’t rehearse the entire dream here, only to summarize vv 11-17. He dreams of a huge tree, providing shelter to many, and the tree is cut down to the stump. Suddenly the tree becomes labeled as “him”, so the image shifts to a man, who loses his mind for a time, and an angelic being reminding this man who God is.
Daniel is troubled, he already knows the interpretation, and it’s not good for the king. Nevertheless, the king wants to know, and he will not be upset with Daniel, whatever the meaning of the dream comes to be.
Again, there is a good explanation of the interpretation in vv 20-26. It’s clear to Daniel, unless Nebuchadnezzar changes his ways, he will be greatly humbled by the Lord.
Two verses jumped out at me. First, verse 27. Daniel pleads with the king to “break away from your sins” (mainly pride), so that his prosperity may be prolonged. Second, verse 30: Nebuchadnezzar is on top of his palace, looking over the land, and he states “...Babylon the great, which I myself have built...my power...my majesty?” He has forgotten Who caused his rise to power, and does not realize that God’s people are in his care. “While the words were still in the kings mouth”, he was changed to eating grass like cattle, he became like a beast of the field, literally, and he lived the next seven years as such.
And, as the end of his dream implied, he would be restored once he realized who God really was, and who was really in control. He does bless God by the end of this chapter, and, as promised, his majesty was restored, and he praises the King of Heaven. This is the last we hear from Nebuchadnezzar.
All through this time period, remember Judah is there in captivity, and they watch how God maintains control. They, too, had been prideful in following other gods and themselves; they should be learning a great lesson along the way.
SO WHAT...?
So, I need to realize what the king realized about God, “all His works are true and His ways just, and he is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Yes, pride is a killer, and I need to check mine and remember the ways of God.
So, in spite of Him being in total control, He has given me work to do, work of my choosing to follow or not, and that is to bless His name, reflect His glory, and tell others what He has done and is doing for me, and what He can do for others.
So, I for one am really glad He is God, and that He is in control.
In this chapter, written from the king’s perspective, the king begins by honoring God, giving credit to the signs God has shown Nebuchadnezar up to this point. This humility will be short-lived, as we’ll see.
King Nebuchadnezzar has another dream, only this time, he remembers it. Yet he wants to know it’s meaning. He calls all his wise men, magicians, etc., and nobody can interpret for him. He remembers Daniel and the previous experience with his dream, and calls for him.
I won’t rehearse the entire dream here, only to summarize vv 11-17. He dreams of a huge tree, providing shelter to many, and the tree is cut down to the stump. Suddenly the tree becomes labeled as “him”, so the image shifts to a man, who loses his mind for a time, and an angelic being reminding this man who God is.
Daniel is troubled, he already knows the interpretation, and it’s not good for the king. Nevertheless, the king wants to know, and he will not be upset with Daniel, whatever the meaning of the dream comes to be.
Again, there is a good explanation of the interpretation in vv 20-26. It’s clear to Daniel, unless Nebuchadnezzar changes his ways, he will be greatly humbled by the Lord.
Two verses jumped out at me. First, verse 27. Daniel pleads with the king to “break away from your sins” (mainly pride), so that his prosperity may be prolonged. Second, verse 30: Nebuchadnezzar is on top of his palace, looking over the land, and he states “...Babylon the great, which I myself have built...my power...my majesty?” He has forgotten Who caused his rise to power, and does not realize that God’s people are in his care. “While the words were still in the kings mouth”, he was changed to eating grass like cattle, he became like a beast of the field, literally, and he lived the next seven years as such.
And, as the end of his dream implied, he would be restored once he realized who God really was, and who was really in control. He does bless God by the end of this chapter, and, as promised, his majesty was restored, and he praises the King of Heaven. This is the last we hear from Nebuchadnezzar.
All through this time period, remember Judah is there in captivity, and they watch how God maintains control. They, too, had been prideful in following other gods and themselves; they should be learning a great lesson along the way.
SO WHAT...?
So, I need to realize what the king realized about God, “all His works are true and His ways just, and he is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Yes, pride is a killer, and I need to check mine and remember the ways of God.
So, in spite of Him being in total control, He has given me work to do, work of my choosing to follow or not, and that is to bless His name, reflect His glory, and tell others what He has done and is doing for me, and what He can do for others.
So, I for one am really glad He is God, and that He is in control.
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